Absolute ethanol in thrombotherapy of bleeding esophageal varices

Abstract

Absolute ethanol is an effective sclerosing agent in the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices. Material was injected through a catheter, placed transhepatically into the portal vein and manipulated subselectively into the coronary and short gastric veins. This technique was successful in 10 of 12 patients attempted. Five patients had repeat portography 1-5 mo. after therapy and no recanalization of varices was noted. There was no recurrence of bleeding from the esophageal varices in clinical follow-ups, up to 13 mo.